(Guardian) Saudi women cannot drive, but apparently they can fly.
A Saudi woman who recently obtained her pilot's license in Jordan said Thursday she has been hired by a private aviation company to fly commercial planes.
Although proud of her career, Capt. Hanadi Zakaria al-Hindi said she expects an angry reaction when she arrives back in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Conservatives believe women should be confined to home or jobs that do not entail mixing with men, such as in education and philanthropy.
"I am doing a respectable job," al-Hindi said. "I know I will be facing many angry people, but it is my will, and the will of my father, that I become a pilot."
Al-Hindi, 27, graduated last week from the Amman-based Mideast Aviation Academy and plans to join the private aviation firm owned by billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
A statement carried by the Saudi media in November, Alwaleed said al-Hindi had been hired by his firm, the Kingdom Holding Co. He described the decision as a "historic move for Saudi ladies."
"The hiring of a female Saudi pilot is the first of its kind," the statement said. "The move transcends the traditional role of Saudi women, previously confined to working in the health, education and philanthropic sectors."
{ 17 } Comments
It is about time. I know a Saudi woman here in the USA who got her private pilots license some years ago. They had a write up on her in Sayyidity. If they people in Saudi are so worried about their religion they will look at it and see that there is nothing to keep women from working, driving, or anything of the like. Those are tribal customs, NOT Islam.
She is one brave lady.
As you can see her picture, she is not wearing any kind of head scarf. She also said, "I will be dressed like any other pilot so I can fly without complications."
I don't know how will she keep that if she really intend to fly in Saudi.
she is really brave …
there are lots of brave womens here in saudi, i heared also of a women rally driver who participated in one of the races in Dubai … and she said there are lots of women drivers in Saudi but no one know them coz simply the saudi law wont let them drive …
i just want to tell you that all your images in your blog that hosted in echo.cx … blocked here in SA.
Thank you Ibrahim for telling me about the echo.cx thing. I'll avoid it from now on. Maybe I need to go back and fix what is already there too.
These are the kind of things that are really society-altering events. Far more effective than any other extensive reform project or proposal. She's got wings – now some earthly predators want to clip them off. But the wind is no longer blowing in their favour. Fly away Hanadi and take as many of your sisters along as you can.
i dont understand …since when did hijab cause complications????if anything …not wearing it will cause complications. i dont think neglecting hijab is anything a women should be proud of.Plus she shouldnt be travelling without a mahram( im not sure whats the farthest distance she can be withour a mahram) As the prophet Muhamad pbuh ordered.
just because saudia Arabic is restricting women from some simple rights it doesnt mean that women have to rebel to the extreme and go against the rulings of Islam.
wassalamualeikum
I think she;s stupid, there no problem with working but since when hijab cause complications.but trying to prove that she's capable.we know saudi infact all women are capable.but abandoning hijab bcoz of the post or trying to make a morden picture is wrong nways to hell with her.
Personally I think she is as beautuiful as she is brave. It is time for change
and I applaud her
I applaud progress.I appreciate determination & dedication.I hate narrow mindedness.I appreciate level headedness & hats off to this saudi women who has come of age.Go ahead & fly, SKY IS THE LIMT FOR YOU.
A nice story, but unfortunately not a sign of any real change. Saudi Arabia is close to realization of Orwell's vision of a totalitarian state in 1984. Surely the department called "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" was inspired by that great work. This department's latest act has been to reaffirm opposition to giving women the right to drive a car. The Interior Minister has labelled the issue as "frivolous" in light of more pressing matters. In modern-day Saudi Arabia, denial of basic human rights to half the population is dismissed as mere "frivolity". One assumes the more pressing issues are those connected with amassing more wealth for the country's murderous oligarchical ruling class.
Very very well done !!
I am proud of her. I am a female surgeon and hold the PPL, I look up to Hanadi and aspire from her. Best of luck Hanadi, keep up the good work
ALL I CAN SAY IS WISH YOU GOOD LUCK…
Salaam Alayakuum Captain Hanadi – this is a most wonderful story – Clear Skies & Safe Landings To You – Cead Mile Failte i Aerophort mBaile Atha Cliath (EIDW) Eireann – as a man and as a fellow pilot, I think that women make better pilotsthan men and are better at everything else because our sisters use both sides of thier brain, which is a scientific fact – we very much look forward to seeing you where you can be assured of a "Hundred Thousand (Irish) Welcomes" here in Dublin, Republic of Ireland – our national airline Aer Lingus, has had women captains for some time, but I do realise that it is a big step for deeply conservative Muslim societies such as Saudi Arabia and also for Pakistan, where women have only recently been allowed join PIA's International routes as First Officers (or Captains yet??) & only recently the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has recruited women fighter jet pilots who are every bit as good as the men (I think they are better than the men lol) – I would love to hear more about your story as I have read some articles on Google saying that you were trying to get into Saudi Arabian Airlines and were supported in this by the Saudi Air Force – I send you every good wish, now and for the future and the best of luck with your flying career – Love, Michaelxxxxxxx
salam i read about all ur pilot achievement.i have a question that i also want to be a pilot in saudi arabian airlines or any other saudi based company,tell me how shud i get it and wat r the requirments to get the lisence??m a pakinstani girl but have lived a very long time in saudi arabia.plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz reply soon thanku
salamalikum i am yasarhasan bin-gursain i am an arab.i am doing my 12 grade .after that i want to be a pilot .but i want to join only saudi airlines or any arab airlines.MY COUSINE BROTHERS ARE SAUDI .THEY WORK IN SAUDI AIRLINES AND SAUDI AIRPORT.BUT I NEED SOME GUIDENCE FOR MY PILOT LICENES.PLZ REPLY
congretulation!!!!great arab lady
it is a great step for women rights in that traditional and fascistic society
we have lots of limitation and complications in iran becoz of dear Islam that imposed us 14 century ago
i am from Iran
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